Live a Sober Life Again - Call Now for Treatment Options.

For those seeking addiction treatment for themselves or a loved one, the Addictionblog.org helpline is a private and convenient solution.

Calls to any general helpline (non-facility specific 1-8XX numbers) for your visit will be answered by American Addiction Centers (AAC).

Caring admissions consultants are standing by 24/7 to discuss your treatment options. These representatives work solely for AAC and will discuss whether an AAC facility may be an option for you.
Our helpline is offered at no cost to you and with no obligation to enter into treatment. Neither Addictionblog.org nor AAC receives any commission or other fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a visitor may ultimately choose.
For more information on AAC’s commitment to ethical marketing and treatment practices, or to learn more about how to select a treatment provider, visit our About Us page.
If you wish to explore additional treatment options or connect with a specific rehab center, you can browse top-rated listings, visit our homepage and browse by state, or visit SAMHSA.

You're leaving Addictionblog.org and will be automatically redirected to Recovery.org.

Crack Detox

Safely Remove Cocaine From the Body

During the process of detox, cocaine leaves the body. While withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable, they are rarely life-threatening. But what happens in the brain and body during detox? How can you manage its symptoms? And what can you do to be more comfortable?

More on the medical process of crack detox here. Then, we invite your questions about withdrawal in the comments section at the end. We try to respond to real-life reader questions personally and promptly.

—–

Ready for a Second Chance?
You’re not alone.
We’re here to help, 24/7.
Please call us.
We know addiction.

——

Detox: What Exactly Is It?

Medical detoxification from psychoactive drugs is a set of medical interventions that help manage acute intoxication and provide support for withdrawal. Specifically, it is the first step in medical treatment of addiction involving abstention from drink or drugs until the bloodstream is free of toxins. To be clear, detox is separate from addiction treatment. However, it is crucial if you want to live a drug-free life.

Because crack withdrawal can provoke extreme ideas of suicide or self-harm, MEDICAL EXPERTS RECOMMEND THAT YOU COME OFF CRACK UNDER MEDICAL SUPERVISION. Detoxification specialists at licensed detox clinics are trained to help you successfully treat withdrawal symptoms. They will provide you with symptomatic support as symptoms occur, often providing emotional or psychological support.

Detox staff should also create a treatment plan individually designed and accustomed to your specific addiction case. Because detox does not solve the emotional, social, psychological, and cognitive issues associated with crack addiction, it is highly recommended that you pursue a long-term treatment plan.

Symptoms Of Crack Detox

Crack is a cocaine based drug. It is usually smoked and directly affects the pleasure centers of the brain, causing stimulating, euphoric effects. Because of the intense effects it produces, crack is a highly addictive drug.

For users who develop physical dependence on crack, withdrawal symptoms can begin shortly after the effects diminish. This is the reason why those who use crack will often do anything to get another dose. During the process of detox, though, cocaine starts to leave the body and brings on withdrawal symptoms such as:

agitation

depression

dysphoria

fatigue

increased appetite

intense drug craving

paranoia

sleep disturbances

slow thinking

These symptoms are actually the brain’s way of seeking balance. When you use cocaine regularly, the brain adapts to the stimulation by “slowing down” some processes in order to operate. Cocaine speeds up the brain abnormally, so it counteracts the stimulant effects chemically. When you remove or lower doses of cocaine suddenly, the chemical balance is disturbed. What actually manifests is the brain’s “slow down” signals and the processes that have been triggered.

The physical problems and emotions you experience during detox eventually resolve in time. However – when it’s happening – detox can be uncomfortable and difficult. Still, it’s better to resolve crack dependence under medical supervision. Don’t try to detox from crack at home. Time, effort, and energy can result in relapse.

—–

Been through withdrawal before?Medical treatment can make the process more bearable.
You deserve a drug-free life.

——

How Long Does Crack Detox Last?

The length of crack detox varies from one person to another. Most people need a few days to a week rt detox from crack. For other more extreme cases, it may be necessary to spend up to 4 weeks in a detox clinic to complete the whole process. Factors which determine the length of crack detox are:

The level of a person’s addiction.

The age, gender and psychological preparedness.

The frequency of crack use.

The presence of mental or psychological co-occurring disorders.

Post-Acute Withdrawal Symptoms

Acute detox from cocaine usually peaks after a few days, and generally resolves within the first week. However, some symptoms may go on for a few months. These “protracted” or “post-acute” symptoms most often include:

Cravings

Mood problems

Sleep problems

Difficulty experiencing pleasure, or dysphoria

PAWS, or post-acute withdrawal syndrome, occurs as a result of severe brain damages due to chronic crack use. Many of those who abuse crack cocaine are likely to experience a relapse during this time because they cannot handle the stress of PAWS. Symptoms of PAWS can last for three to six months after crack cessation. Commonly reported PAWS are:

Agitation or shaking

Anger or emotional outbursts

Anxiety

Depression

Difficulty sleeping

Lack of motivation

Crack Detox Complications

Generally, crack detox is not associated with medical complications. But sometimes during detox, people may experience complications. The most commonly reported conditions that occur at the same time as detox from cocaine include:

Angina pectoris = A condition marked by severe pain in the chest, often also spreading to the shoulders, arms, and neck, caused by an inadequate blood supply to the heart.Cardiovascular complications = Heart abnormalities.Gastric ulcerations = Sores in the lining of the stomach or duodenum.Gastrointestinal tract perforations = A hole in the wall of part of the gastrointestinal tract.Intestinal ischemia = Slowed or interrupted blood flow through the major arteries that supply blood to your intestines.Retroperitoneal fibrosis = A disease characterized by the development of extensive fibrosis throughout the retroperitoneum.

Crack Detox Methods and Setting

Detox follows one of two models: a medical or social model. Medical models use physicians and nursing staff, while social models rely on counseling and supportive therapy. The most effective way of treating detox from crack involves establishing a period of abstinence from cocaine. This means that while ‘cold turkey’ withdrawal is possible, it can also an obstacle to the acceptance and accomplishment of abstinence as a long-term outcome. Heavy crack users may need to taper off their drug in a safe manner or as prescribed by the addiction specialist or physician.

Detox is usually provided in special clinics on hospital grounds or within inpatient programs. During detox, a clinic’s medical staff and physicians monitor and supervise withdrawal 24 hours a day on an inpatient basis. Cocaine withdrawal symptoms can last for a week or more, but the withdrawal can vary based on cocaine dosage, frequency, and total time of use.

Crack Detox Protocol: The Three Basic Components

Crack detox is not an easy process, so constant medical supervision is highly recommended to ease the risk of relapse. Like all detoxifications, crack detox consists of three essential stages. All three stages of crack detox include treating the patient with understanding and compassion.

1. The evaluation

Evaluation starts with testing for the presence of cocaine in the blood, measuring its concentration, and tracking medical and physical conditions of the patients. Next, evaluation entails a comprehensive review of a patients entire state to help determine the right level of treatment. Actually, this stage serves as the basis for the primary addiction treatment after a person has withdrawn from cocaine successfully.

2. Stabilization

Stabilization involves the psychological and medical processes of helping a person through acute withdrawal to the achievement of a medically stable and crack-free state. This stage is usually accomplished with medication, but until now, no medication has been developed for treating stimulant withdrawal. However, some medications may help in cases with special withdrawal symptoms. For instance, amantadine is helpful for reducing cocaine use in patients with severe withdrawal symptoms. In some cases, antidepressants such as desipramine or a combination of phentermine and fenfluramine, may be used. Also, one research group is currently studying modafinil, an anti-narcolepsy agent, as a cocaine detoxification agent.

Further, stabilization helps patients to understand the process of crack addiction treatment, what to expect from the treatment, and what their part in the recovery is. During this stage practitioners seek an involvement of family and friends.

3. Aftercare

Accessing the need for longer term care is the last stage of the crack detox. During this stage, clinicians prepare patients for entry into residential or outpatient drug abuse treatment by emphasizing follow through. In other words, if you really want to live crack-free, you need additional help!

Crack Detox Considerations

Bear in mind that detox is only the first point of addiction treatment. It is an acute period and should be carefully monitored by medical staff. Quality supervision is extremely important because it may prevent potentially life-threatening complications. Moreover, patients undergoing crack detox need to know that someone cares for them, and respects them. It is important that a crack detox must include all three components (evaluation, stabilization, and fostering patient) to be successful.

Crack Detoxification Questions

Every detoxification is a struggling process, and we hope that we manage to give you some information on crack detox. However, if you have still have any concerns or questions, do not hesitate to post them in the comments section at the end. We will do our best to respond promptly.

Crack detox is most severe in the first week after last use. But psychological withdrawal symptoms may persist for weeks and even months after cessation. A clear picture of what to expect during crack detox here.

Are you addicted to crack or know someone who is? Physical symptoms of crack withdrawal usually resolve within a week. But psychological symptoms can persist for weeks or months after last use. More on how long crack withdrawal lasts and what you can do to help ease the effects here.

Really looking forward in getting help with my Crack addiction, but afraid to come back to my home town

Lydia @ Addiction Blog

1:06 pm September 12th, 2017

Hi Ron. Call the Cocaine/Crack Helpline listed here on 1-888-497-6879 to get in touch with dependable hotline professionals available 24/7. You will be talking to someone knowledgeable about cocaine abuse, rehab and recovery centers who can help you find a cocaine recovery program.

Becky

10:08 pm October 30th, 2017

MY husband admits to years use of CRACK……………..Do not know what to do………………………….live in small country town of CANTON , texas…………is there any help here….??? thanks in advance, Becky

Lydia @ Addiction Blog

5:33 pm November 1st, 2017

Hi Becky. Call the Crack Cocaine Helpline on 1-888-497-6879 to get in touch with dependable hotline professionals available 24/7. You will be talking to someone knowledgeable about cocaine abuse, rehab and recovery centers who can help you find a cocaine recovery program for your husband.

Jackie

8:06 pm January 29th, 2018

Very annoying is the pop up that covers the page.
My brother is a crack addict. Has been all his adult life. He is 53 and has been living in Florida for a year and a half. He was going really good. But after Irma he lost his boat which he was living on. He got a lot of work because he is a tree climber and remover.
My understanding is that when the work dropped off his insurance money came in for his boat. He started using again. Insurance money is all gone. He has lost his job and girlfriend. His church has tried to help him. But he wants to come home to Michigan. I have been through this before. I am packing up anything worth anything. Getting rid of all our guns and any holiday cheer left over.
My question is, how can I help him through the detox until we can get him into a program here? The wheels turn pretty slow here in Genesee county. He has mental health issues. It is also my understanding that he went off his meds when he left Michigan. He is back on some of those. Not sure what he is taking now. I was also wondering if there is anything that could help with detox. Such as Organic ACV.
Thank You!

Lydia @ Addiction Blog

2:36 pm February 14th, 2018

Hi Jackie. Thank your for the remarks. First, I suggest that you download our free book ‘How To Quit Cocaine For Good’ to learn more about this addiction, and ways to treat it: https://addictionblog.org/ebooks/the-definitive-guide-to-quitting-cocaine-for-good/
Also, call the Cocaine Helpline listed at 1-888-497-6879 to get in touch with dependable hotline professionals available 24/7. You will be talking to someone knowledgeable about cocaine abuse, rehab and recovery centers who can help you find a cocaine recovery program for your brother.

bindala

2:22 pm September 5th, 2018

This is the useful information about Detox.

Lydia @ Addiction Blog

2:31 pm September 5th, 2018

Hi Bindala. Thank you that you find our content useful.

Leave a Reply

About AddictionBlog.org

Addiction Blog is a network of writers and bloggers managed by Lee Weber. Contributors are industry leaders who are interested in the field of addiction treatment. We embrace new ideas and alternative therapies for the treatment of all types of addiction.

Our Mission

To connect families and individuals struggling with addiction to necessary and appropriate treatment options.